Saw with digital measurement device

Abstract

A saw comprises a blade configured to perform a cut on a work piece at a cutting position. The saw includes a measurement device configured to determine a distance. The measurement device includes a laser generator configured to emit a laser beam. A laser interference member is provided on the work piece with a portion of the laser interference member in the path of the laser beam. The laser interference member comprises a reflective surface configured to reflect the laser beam and an adhesive surface configured to adhere to the work piece. A digital display provides an indication of the determined distance. In another embodiment, the measurement device is provided as a sensor wheel associated with the engagement surface. The sensor wheel is configured to rotate when the work piece is moved along the engagement surface and determine a distance the work piece has moved along the engagement surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A saw for cutting a work piece, the saw comprising:
 a blade configured to perform a cut on the work piece at a cutting position; and   a measurement device configured to determine a distance, the measurement device including,
 a laser generator configured to emit a laser beam, and 
 a laser interference member provided on the work piece with a portion of the laser interference member in the path of the laser beam. 
   
     
     
         2 . The saw of  claim 1  wherein the distance is a distance between the cutting position and the portion of the laser interference member in the path of the laser beam. 
     
     
         3 . The saw of  claim 1  wherein the measurement device further comprises a digital display configured to provide an indication of the distance. 
     
     
         4 . The saw of  claim 1  wherein the blade is a circular blade configured to rotate about an axis of rotation and the laser beam extends in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of rotation. 
     
     
         5 . The saw of  claim 1  wherein the saw further comprises a table providing a surface for supporting the work piece, the cutting position defined by a slot in the table, and the blade configured to engage the slot. 
     
     
         6 . The saw of  claim 5  where the saw is a miter saw and the blade is supported by a pivotable cutting arm, the pivotable cutting arm configured to move the blade into the slot when the blade performs the cut. 
     
     
         7 . The saw of  claim 6  further comprising a rip fence positioned above the table, the laser generator positioned on the rip fence. 
     
     
         8 . The saw of  claim 1  wherein the laser interference member comprises a reflective surface configured to reflect the laser beam. 
     
     
         9 . The saw of  claim 8  wherein the laser interference member further comprises an adhesive surface configured to adhere to the work piece. 
     
     
         10 . The saw of  claim 9  wherein the laser interference member is substantially T shaped and includes three wings, wherein the reflective surface is provided on one wing and the adhesive surface is provided on at least one other wing. 
     
     
         11 . A saw for cutting a work piece, the saw comprising:
 a blade configured to perform a cut on the work piece at a cutting position;   a work piece engagement surface; and   an electronic measurement device positioned on the engagement surface, the electronic measurement device configured to determine a distance the work piece has moved along the engagement surface.   
     
     
         12 . The saw of  claim 11  wherein the engagement surface is a table comprising a work support surface. 
     
     
         13 . The saw of  claim 11  wherein the electronic measurement device includes a sensor wheel configured to rotate when the work piece is moved along the engagement surface. 
     
     
         14 . The saw of  claim 13  wherein the sensor wheel extends through an opening in the work support surface. 
     
     
         15 . The saw of  claim 11  wherein the electronic measurement device comprises an optical measurement device. 
     
     
         16 . The saw of  claim 11  wherein the saw is a miter saw and the blade is supported by a pivotable cutting arm, wherein the cutting position is defined by a slot in the table such that the blade is configured to engage the slot, and wherein the pivotable cutting arm is configured to move the blade into the slot when the blade performs the cut. 
     
     
         17 . The saw of  claim 11  wherein the engagement surface is a rip fence. 
     
     
         18 . A miter saw comprising:
 a support surface;   a cutting arm configured to pivot relative to the support surface;   a blade provided on the cutting arm;   a laser generator configured to emit a laser beam along a path extending away from the blade, and   a reflective member configured for placement in the path of the laser beam, the reflective member separated from the laser generator by a measurement distance, and   a display configured to show the measurement distance between the laser generator and the reflective member.   
     
     
         19 . The miter saw of  claim 18  wherein the reflective member includes a reflective surface and an adhesive surface, the adhesive surface configured to adhere to a workpiece. 
     
     
         20 . The miter saw of  claim 18  wherein the miter saw further comprises a rip fence and the laser generator is positioned on the rip fence.